Simplifying Relocation for Memory Impaired Seniors

From time to time, we enjoy sharing topics written for our existing franchisees and their customers.

We believe this information is useful whether you are a franchise owner, considering becoming a franchise owner or a customer of a Caring Transitions.

This advice is timeless for anybody with family members going these transitions.

Many families and friends face the challenge of relocating a senior loved one impacted by memory impairment issues like Alzheimer’s or Dementia. This process can be a challenge for the senior loved one often feeling confused or finding it difficult to remember happenings from one moment to the next. For supportive family and friends assuring your loved one of safety, security, and affection is compounded with the tedious process of organizing the relocation itself. We have 3 tips to help you simplify this process.

Communicate with Care

Using empathy is the first step to opening yourself to what your loved one is trying to communicate without taking offense to a forgotten name or detail. Take the time to create a calm and quiet environment for conversation, especially important conversations. Making sure distractions are at a minimum to help the senior focus on their conversation with you. Being attentive while keeping interruptions to a minimum will give comfort and build trust. Seemingly the most important part of communicating with care is patience and calm.

Listen to Concerns

Remember to take the conversation one moment at a time through simple conversation. Allow time to process the conversation without rushing the moment to reduce anxiety, uncertainty, and confusion for someone who has memory impairment. Your conversations may be limited in understanding and this can often be a source of frustration for both you and the senior. Small efforts like maintaining a calming tone and body language will keep the conversation healthy. In a 2017 article, our relocation experts remind readers “it’s important to remember that moving can be very stressful for a senior, especially in situations where they’re seeing their lifetime of collectibles and possessions going away for good. It can make them feel like they’re losing their entire lives. . . stop and listen to your loved ones when they speak up about how they’re feeling . . .”

Give Seniors a Sense of Control

A large part of creating a secure and safe environment is helping your senior loved one grasp a sense of control. In a previous article Chris Seman, President of Caring Transitions wrote, People often experience stress when they feel things are out of control. Caregivers can lessen the stress of transitioning by reinstating a sense of order and control to the events their loved ones find stressful. Offering choices helps the senior maintain his/her sense of self in the midst of chaos. It’s important to understand that when we remove someone’s ability to make decisions on his or her own behalf, we also remove an essential practice that would otherwise help a senior maintain a sense of control over unfamiliar situations.”